2012 Westgate Vineyard Grampians Shiraz

After a decade this wine has certainly blossomed into something wonderful. When we picked the grapes and began the fermentation I remember thinking that perhaps we had picked a trifle early, the intensity of fruit didn’t seem apparent and the herbal, structural elements were to the fore. As was the case with all my shiraz/syrah wines around that time, I did not rack or move the wines at all, liking the softness of texture that extended lees ageing gave the midpalate. This is certainly evident in the 2012 Westgate. The fruit is truffled yet still firm, and the 32% new oak has folded into the wine completely. The overarching feel of the wine is one of complexity, completeness and integration, of a wine pretty much at its peak. Tannins are still present but take a back seat, and texture is the key. Mid weight, spicy, black fruit and truffly plushness all abound. Length is excellent. It is a real pleasure to see this wine evolved and yet still very alive. It will live on for many years still but will it get better? I think it’s right in the zone for maximum enjoyment now. Westgate delivers.